Apparatus for extricating stranded vessels.



PATENTED MAR. 3, 1903.

.J. ARBUGKLE. APPARATUS FOR EXTRIGATING STRANDED VESSELS.

APPIIIUATION FILED APRDZG, 1902.

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INVENTOR:

WITNESSES:

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.NO. 721,851. 1 V PATBNTED MAR. s", 1903. J. ARBUGKLB.

APPARATUS FOR EXTRICATING STRANDED VESSELS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 26, 1902.

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A Nu; 721,851. A .PATENTED MAR. 3,1903.

J. ARB UGKLE. APPARATUS FOR EXTRIGATING STRANDED VBSSELS.

APPLIOATIOH 1ILED APB. 26- 1902.

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v 'No. 721,851. PATENTED MAR. 3, 1903.

J. ARBUGKLE.

APPARATUS FOR. EXTRIGATING STRANDED VESSELS.

APPLICATION rum) APR. 26. 1902.

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By Atfomeys,

No. 721,851. PATENTED MAR. s, 1903.

J. ARBUGKLE.

APPARATUS FOR EXTRIGATING STRANDED VESSBLS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 26. 1902.

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. I B) All 07723 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN ARBUCKLE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FO R EXTRICATING STRAN DED VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 721,851, dated March 3,1903. Application filed April 26, 1902. Serial No. 104,770. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN ARBUOKLE, a citizen of the United States,residing in the horough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, city and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatusfor Extricating Stranded Vessels, of which the following is aspecification.

Myinvention aims to provide an improved apparatus whereby to facilitatethe extrication of vessels which have stranded upon a bottom of mud,sand, or the like. Ordinarily vessels which become stranded, especiallyon a sandy bottom, becomemore and more firmly embedded in the sand,either by sinking of the vessel or the piling up of the sand under theaction of the waves orcurrents. In such cases it is important that thework of extrication be undertaken quickly, and my'invention provides anapparatus of extreme simplicity in operation and comprising but few'parts and which can be applied very quickly and without any specialmachinery other than that which is usually found on steam vessels andtugboats.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a stranded vessel with myapparatus at work. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is acrosssection of the saine,showing differences in the apparatus used whenworking at difierent depths. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a plow forusein connection with my apparatus. Fig. 5 is a plan of the plow. Fig. 6is a side elevation of the plow. Figs. 7 and 8 are cross-sections ofplows. Fig. 9 is a similar section of a slightly-altered construction ofplow. Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus shown inFig. l. a side elevationv of another embodiment of the invention. Fig.12 is a plan of still anotherembodiment of theinvention. Figs. 13 and 14are a side elevation and a plan, respectively, of another embodiment.Figs. 15 and 16 are a plan and side elevation, respectively, of adifferent form of loosening device. Fig. 17 is a side elevation of aplow with a special device for controlling the angular position of theplow. Fig. 18 is a section of the upper end of the guiding-arm shown inFig. 17. Fig.

Fig. 11 is' 19 is a section similar to Fig. 3, showing the operation ofthe plow illustrated in Fig. 17.

In this specification I will use the term mud generically to includesand or any kind of bottom soft enough for the application of myapparatus regardless of its composition.

According to my improvement I propose to extricate the vessel byloosening the mud around the same and simultaneously removing the mud,850., from the hull of the vessel, working gradually from the surfacedownward until a sufficient quantity of mud is removed to float thevessel. Where the vessel has gone some distance inward upon the shoal,it may be necessary to continue the operation beyond one end of thevessel toward the deep water, so as to form a channel for the passage ofthe vessel intothe deep Water. If a vessel is not very high up on theshoal, it may only be necessary to loosen the mud about or beyond theend or side of the vessel to enable it to be drawn out by a tugboat orby its own power. For this purpose I propose to use a device forloosening the mud, preferably a plow of the shape hereinafter describedmore fully, and means for guiding this device alongside the hull of thevessel, such means being preferably a cable extending to fixed points,such as anchors, beyond the ends of the vessel and lying alongside thehull of the vessel. Preferably two plows andcables are operatedsimultaneously, one on each side of the vessel. The loosening device isdragged backward and forward alongside the hull of the vessel by anysuitable means. The power for this purpose may, for example, be obtainedfrom a tugboat attached to the loosening device and propelled backwardand forward or from capstans on a tugboat or on the stranded vesselitself. Preferably I provide means for adjusting the angle of the plowwith respect to the horizontal so that the forward end thereof may beinclined downward to any desired degree to enable it to out more or lessdeeply. This means may be, for example, a guiding-arm or the likeprojecting upward from the plow and rigidly connected thereto, so thatby moving the upper end of the arm forward or backward the inclinationof the plow may be varied, the means for holding the upper end of thearm in the position to which it is moved being preferably a chain,cable, or the like attached at opposite ends to the cables for drawingthe plow and attached at any one of a number of intermediate points tothe upper end of the arm.

A feature of capital importance in connection with the improvedloosening device is a means for removing the loosened mud from the hullof the vessel, which means preferably comprises a hose leading to theloosening device and through which a fluidsuch as steam, compressed air,or wateris passed down into the loosened mud and escapes withconsiderable force in a direction to throw the loosened mud away fromthe hull of the'vessel. The supply of fluid under pressure for thispurpose may be taken either from the stranded vessel or from a tugboator the like located alongside of the vessel.

Referring specifically to the drawings, A indicates the vessel strandedon a beach or shoal B.

0 indicates a plow arranged for loosening the mud about the vessel andguided against the hull of the vessel preferably by means of a cablepassing over sheaves D, attached to anchors E or other suitable fixedpoints. According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 10 the plowC is moved backward and forward bodily by means of cables F, attached tothe plow at opposite ends and extending around the two appropriatesheaves D in a complete circuit. Supplemental cables F for moving theplow are attached to the portions of the guiding-cable F which areadjacent to the plow, as shown, whereby the plow travels in the samedirection as the moving force. The movement of the plow is here obtainedby attaching the upper ends of the cables F to fixed points on a tugboatG and propelling the entire tugboat backward and forward.

For supplying fluid to the plow I propose to use a hose J, extendingfrom a boiler or pump or the like to the plow. The boiler or pump may bethe ordinary boiler or pump carried on the tug or may be on the vesselitself. Steam is the fluid ordinarily to be preferred in practicing myinvention by reason of its expansive power. VVhenit escapes into theloosened mud, it expands with great force, throwing the mud to aconsiderable distance, and by the action of the hull as an abutment andthe suddenness of the expansion exertinga strong force to drive the mudin a direction away from the hull. In Fig. 1 the connection to a boilerK on the tug is indicated, the housing of the tug being omitted for thesake of clearness.

The length of travel of the plow beyond the end of the vessel willdepend upon the abruptness of the shoal and the distance from the vesselto deep water and can be varied, of course, by extending the cables to agreater or less distance toward deep water, the position of the anchorsat the outer end of the vessel being adjusted for this purpose.

A specific form of plow which I propose to use is illustrated in Figs. 4to 9. It is doubleended, having at each end a sharp inner edge N and asimilar sharp lower edge 0, which edges incline inward and upward, so asto loosen the mud and force it upward and away from the hull of thevessel. I use the terms upper and lower as indicating the sides of theplow which are farthest from and nearest to the keel of the vessel,respectively, though it is clear from Fig. 3 that the upper side of theplow does not remain uppermost as the plow works from its highestposition (at the right of the figure) to a lower position, (at theleft.) An arm P may extend from the upper edge beyond each end for theattachment of a cable by which the plow is moved, such arm beingpreferably strengthened by a rib Q to give it the necessary lateralstiffness. Preferably, also, rollers R are provided on the inner face ofthe plow, so as to bear against the hull of the vessel and relieve thefriction at this point and to prevent injury by striking of the plowagainst scams or projections on the hull. The plow may be recessed, asindicated. The central portion of the plow is provided with a passage S,which is connected to the hose J for the admission of the fluid which isto remove the mud loosened by the plow. Two passages S and S, Figs. 7and 8, may be provided in the same plow, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, forchanging the direction of the exit of the fluid from the plow, so as toadapt the same more perfectly for use at different depths, or twodifferent plows may be used, one having a passageS and the other apassage S. Both passages have their inlet at the upper face of the plow.The passage S, however, has its outlet T on the outer face of the plow,while the passage S has its outlet T on the upper face of the plow. Asshown in Fig. 3, the passage S is used when working with the plow in anearly vertical position at ornear the surface of the mud. The passage Sis used after some depth has been obtained and the plow is to someextent underneath the vessel, as shown at the left of Fig. 3. In thelatter position the stream of fluid is more effective if thrown directlybackward and upward instead of downward, as would be the case if thepassage S were in use. The change from the passage S to the passage Smay be accomplished by hoisting the plow to the surface and eitherexchanging it for another plow having a passage S- or, in case a singleplow is provided with both passages, changing the connection of the hosefrom the passage S to the passage S, or the plow may have a passage SFig. 9, connected with two outlets T and T, a plug U being used to stopthe one which it is not desired to use. The outlets T T of the passagesS S S are shown contracted, so that the fluid shall be expelledtherefrom with considerable velocity, and especially where steam orcompressed air is used with a considerable expansive power,

shown approximately the successive positions which the plow takes as itis dragged backward and forward. When steam or compressed air is used,the sudden and violent expansion of the fluid when liberated from thenozzle has the eifect of causing a rapid outward current to flow fromthe plow alongside the hull, so as to effectively carry the dis-.

lodged mud to such distance from the hull as will avoid any likelihoodof its being drifted back.

As illustrated in Figs. 17-to 19, the plow may be provided with aguiding-arm e, ex-

tending upward from the top thereof and rigidly attached thereto,preferably by being bifurcated at its lower end and bolted directly tothe plow. This arm e is used for Varying the inclination of the plow,sothat its forward edge maybe made to cut more or less deeply into themud. The adjustment is preferably,

effected, as shown, by passing a chain and attaching the arm to anydesired link in the chain by means of a transverse pin 71, the ends ofthe chain f being connected to the cables F, which draw the plow, eitherby means of rods j or chains or cables. The portion of the draw-cablewhich extends from the plow to the point of connection with j may alsobe a single rod or cable It. When the plowis moving in the direction ofthe arrow in Fig. 17, the inclination may be as shown, being varied toan extent depending chiefly on the hardness of the bottom. When it isdesired to move in the opposite direction, the pin h is withdrawn andthe upper end of the arm thrown over in the opposite direction andconnected at another link of the chain f, so as to incline the plowdownward.

at the opposite end. The arm is also advantageous in projecting above:the water and showing the position and inclination of the plow, and inorder to preserve this advantage when the plow moves very deeply intothe water I preferably provide the upper end of the arm with a socket Z,into which an extension-rod m fits and is fastened by a cross-pin. Inend view Fig. 19 the arm is preferably curved, so that as the plow movesunder the vessel the upper end of the arm will not be turned too fardown. At the left of the figure the extension m is shown attached to theup-.

Tofacilitate guiding the plow, the arm extension m may be readilyavailed of, preferably by connecting a suitable handle to it, as shownat n in Fig. 19, which handle, 6X-

tending back toward the hull of the vessel,

may be grasped by a man or men upon the vessel'or may be engaged by anysuitable rigging. To enable the men controlling this handle to walkalong the side of the hull as the plow advances and withoutinterference.

with the standing rigging or shrouds, it is desirable to arrange aplatform 19 alongside the exterior of the hull, which may convenientlybe hung thereon by means of suitable hangers q, carried over the sidesof thevessel at intervals.

Though I have described with great particularity of detail certainembodiments of my invention, yet it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. Various,modifications in the details and in the arrangement and combination ofthe parts and various changes in the proportions of the parts may bemade without departure from the inven- 1 fat separated points to thecable F and moved through an eye g in the upper end of the armsimultaneously by the backward-and-forward movement of the cable. eachof the plows is less in this case than where a single plow is used, sothat in case the fluid is supplied from the vessel itself the length ofhose J may be shortened by connecting each hose to a separate source ofsupply, such as separate steam-couplings or valved'pipes K K, suppliedfrom the boilerK.

Fig. 11 shows a modified means of propelling the plow or plows. Insteadof connecting the cable F with a tug its ends are led through thesheaves DD and. carried-to the bow and stern, respectively, of thestranded ship, where they are connected to the usual capstans orWindlasses H H, which areop- The movement of ICC erated to alternatelywind on and pay out'the cable, so as to drag the plows toward the bowand stern alternately. 1

I show in Figs. 13 and 14: (the former being an enlarged view showingonly the plow and cables) an arrangement in which a cable X extendsbetween two anchors E, placed similarly to those in the other figures,which cable serves only as a guide for the plow O, the movement of thelatter being accom plished by direct connection at its opposite ends tothe tug-boat G, as by means of cables Y. The guide-cable X may be fixedat its ends or may bepassed through a sheave at one end and run to acapstan H on the Vessel for maintaining it taut as the plow changes itsdepth, or, as shown in Fig. 12, a special guiding means may be dispensedwith and a pair of tugs G attached by cables V to opposite ends of theplow. In this figure I illuslength to permit the desired movement of theplow.

The plow also may be varied in design. A device which has substantiallythe same loosening elfect is shown in Figs. 15 and 16. A frame a carriescutters I), having a number of radiating bladesc,having,preferably,pointed cutting edges. As the frame a is draggedalong the cutters b revolve, the successive blades 0 entering the mudand loosening it. here a fluid is to be used, the frame is provided witha member d, having passages similar to those shown in Figs. 7and 8 or inFig. 9. The hose J is shown in Fig. 16 attached to the inlet of such apassage.

When my invention is applied to the extrication of vessels stranded intidal waters, it is preferable to operate the plows during an ebbingtide, so that as the returning flood comes in it will float the vesselin the channel that the plows have formed, whereupon the vessel mayeasily be towed out into deep water.

Though I do not claim in this application for patent the improvedprocess described, yet it is to be understood that I do not therebywaive my right to claim the same in another application.

What I claim is- 1. An apparatus for extricating a stranded vessel,comprising in combination a device for loosening the mud, and means formoving said device bodily alongside the hull of the vessel.

2. An apparatus for extricating a stranded vessel, comprising incombination a device for loosening the mud, means for guiding saiddevice alongside the hull of the vessel, and means for removing theloosened mud from the hull of the vessel.

3. An apparatus for extricating a stranded vessel, comprising incombination a plow for looseningthe mud, and means for moving said plowbackward and forward alongside the hull of the vessel.

4. An apparatus for extricating a stranded vessel comprising incombination a plow for loosening the mud, means for moving said plowbackward and forward alongside the hull of the vessel, and means forconducting a stream of fluid to the loosened mud to remove the same fromthe hull of the vessel.

5. A plow adapted to be moved alongside the hull of a vessel to loosenthe mud therefrom, having an end shaped to throw the mud outward andupward, and having a passage shaped to discharge a fluid againstsuchloosened mud.

6. A device adapted to be moved alongside the hull of a vessel to loosenthe mud therefrom, having a passage adapted to discharge a fluid againstsuch loosened mud, the outlet of said passage being contracted so as toincrease the velocity of discharge of such fluid.

7. A plow adapted to be moved alongside the hull of a vessel to loosenthe mud therefrom, having an end shaped to throw the mud outward andupward, and having a passage shaped to discharge a fluid from the outerface of the plow.

8. A plow for loosening the mud from the hull of a vessel, having an endshaped to throw the mud outward and upward, and having a passage shapedto discharge a fluid from the upper face of the plow.

9. A-plow for loosening the mud from the hull of a vessel, having an endshaped to throw the mud upward and outward, and having rollers on itsinner face to bear against the hull of the vessel.

10. In apparatus for extricating a stranded vessel, the combination of aloosening device, an anchor adapted for arrangement beyond one end ofthe vessel, means for moving said loosening device, and means connectedto said anchor for guiding the movement of said loosening device.

11. In apparatus for extricating a stranded vessel, the combination of aloosening device, a pair of anchors adapted for arrangement beyond theopposite ends of the vessel,sheaves connected to said anchors, andcables running from said loosening device around said sheaves andconnected to a source of power.

12. In apparatus for extricating a stranded vessel, the combination of aloosening device, a pair of anchors adapted for arrangement beyond theopposite ends of the vessel,sheaves connected to said anchors, aguiding-cable running from said loosening device around both sheaves,and supplemental cables connecting the portions of the guiding-cablewhich are adjacent to the loosening device to a source of power, wherebythe loosening device is caused to travel in the same direction as themoving force.

13. In apparatus for extricating a stranded vessel, the combination of adoubleended plow, having a passage shaped to discharge a fluid againstthe mud loosened by said plow, a pair of anchors adapted for arrangementbeyond the opposite ends of the vessel,sheaves connected to saidanchors, cables running from said plow around said sheaves and connectedto a source of power, and a hose connected at one end to said passage,and at its opposite end to a fluid-supplying means.

14. An apparatus for extricating a stranded vessel, comprising incombination a plow for loosening the mud, means for moving said plowalongside the hull of the vessel, and means for adjusting theinclination of the plow.

15. An apparatus for extricatingastranded vessel, comprising incombination a plow for loosening the mud, means for moving said plowbackward and forward alongside the hull of the vessel, an arm projectingupward from said plow, and means for holding said arm in an inclinedposition for adjusting the inclination of said plow.

16. An apparatus for extricating a stranded vessel, comprising incombination a plow for loosening the mud, drawing-cables attached toopposite ends of said plow for moving the same backward. and forwardalongside the hull of the vessel, an arm projecting upward from saidplow, a flexible connector connected at opposite ends to the oppositedrawing-cables respectively, and means for attaching plow backward andforward alongside the hull of the vessel, an arm projecting upward fromsaid plow, and means for attaching an extension to said arm to extendabove the surface of the water.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing said flexible connector at any one of several Witnesses.intermediate points to the top of said arm. JOHN ARBUCKLE.

17. An apparatus for extricatinga stranded Witnesses:

vessel, comprising in combination a plow for loosening the mud, meansfor moving said THEO. T. SNELL, FRED WHITE.

